and we have a new poll, asking americans how they would vote if the election were held right now. the abc news/"washington post" poll shows the two contenders separated just two points among likely voters. 36 days to go now before your voice, your vote. and abc's jake tapper and abc's david muir are traveling with the candidates to tell us how you train for a debate night that could change everything. jake leads us off. jake? >> reporter: diane, top obama campaign officials have been pouring over republican debate tapes, studying mitt romney. and according to one person familiar with the president's debate preparations, it has been exhausting work and the president is definitely out of practice, though, of course, the campaign has been trying to lower expectations. president obama has been practicing for the debates at the westin lake, las vegas, resort and spa. 17 miles from the las vegas strip. presidential debate veteran john kerry is participating in the mock debates, pretending to be a different patrician wealthy massachusetts politician mitt romney. yesterday, in las vegas,